BAE Systems continues its support to Malaysian SMEs

25 June 20122012-06-25T02:00:00+02:00

The company has demonstrated its continued support to the Malaysian SME community at the SME Innovation Showcase (SMIDEX) 2012 held at the KL Convention Centre

The event, organised by SME Corporation Malaysia, showcased the capabilities and capacities of Malaysian SMEs in supplying products, technologies and services for the global market. BAE Systems’ focus at SMIDEX was on technology and innovation; demonstrating its broad capability across defence and beyond.

BAE Systems’ participation at SMIDEX included engaging local SMEs and offering support to on-going development initiatives by government agencies such as Malaysian Industry Group High Technology (MIGHT) and Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA). As part of its ongoing strategy, together with both the UK and Malaysian governments, to support UK businesses looking for opportunities in Malaysia, BAE Systems was joined at SMIDEX by a group of UK SMEs focused on engineering in the aerospace and defence arena.

“Our track record in delivering value to Malaysia through partnership is a strong one. Malaysia’s economy, spurred by leading local aerospace engineering companies such as CTRM and SMEA, continues to benefit today from the technology and skills initiatives put in place in partnership with BAE Systems when Malaysia selected Hawk to meet its fighter training needs more than 15 years ago”, said John Brosnan, Managing Director, BAE Systems South East Asia.

“We look forward to developing equally beneficial partnership programmes with Malaysian SMEs through our range of other world leading defence, aerospace and security capabilities such as the Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft currently being considered to meet Malaysia’s MRCA requirement,” continued John.

As part of its long term commitment to Malaysia, BAE Systems continues to broaden its industrial participation reach throughout the peninsula. Having visited East Malaysia in May 2012 to engage state government, regional development agencies and local businesses, the company is now targeting the East Peninsula – including state capitals of Kelantan (Kota Bharu) and Pahang (Kuantan).

“BAE Systems’ industrial participation plans are not just limited to Kuala Lumpur – there is a lot of potential to work with other states across the country. Our visit last month to East Malaysia was very well received by local investment authorities. We now turn our focus towards East Peninsula where we will engage state government, regional development agencies and local businesses, thereby giving us new opportunities to forge strong, sustainable relationships and identify mutual growth opportunities,” explained Mark Burgess, Vice President, BAE Systems Malaysia.

BAE Systems has had a presence in Malaysia for more than 20 years with an established South East Asia regional headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The Company is looking to play a significant role in Malaysia’s economic, technology and capacity development via partnerships with innovative SMEs, government agencies and key academic institutions, as well as supporting the development of skills and technology through vocational training.